Current Unit of Inquiry

Unit of Inquiry: Where We Are in Place and Time

An inquiry into orientation in place and time ; personal histories; homes and journey; the discoveries, explorations and migrations of humankind; the relationships between and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives.

Central Idea:
Actions, values and culture form a nation’s identity.

Lines of Inquiry: An inquiry into

different groups of people shape a nation’s identity

how economic political systems are affected over time

Key Concepts:Causation –Why is it like it is?Reflection – How do we know? The understanding that there are different ways of knowing, and that it is important to reflect on our conclusions, to consider our methods of reasoning, and the quality and the reliability of the evidence we have considered.
Perspective – What are the different points of view? The understanding that knowledge is moderated by perspectives; different perspectives lead to different interpretations, understandings and findings.They may be individual, group, cultural or disciplinary.

Attitudes:

Empathy – Being sensitive about differences and diversity in the world and being responsive to the needs of others.

Curiosity – Being curious about the nature of learning, about the world, its people and cultures.

Attributes of the Learner Profile:

Open-minded – They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.

Knowledgeable – they remember what they have found out and can use this information in their life.

Some websites that might assist you in finding out more about Canadian history and different cultures.

An inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things.

Central Idea: Society’s responsibility is to live in harmony with the environment for sustainability.

Inquiry Into:

Human activities affecting the sustainability of ecosystems

The actions needed to responsibly preserve ecosystems

The resources and landforms found in different regions

Key Concepts:

Causation: Why is it like this?
The understanding that things do not just happen, that there are casual relationships at work, and that actions have consequences.

Responsibility: What is our responsibility?
The understanding that people make choices based on their understandings, and the actions they take as a result do make a difference.

Connection: How does it connect to other things?
We live in a world of interacting systems in which the actions of any individual element affect others.

Learner Profile Attributes:

Principled: They develop integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice and respect. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.Caring: They show empathy, compassion and respect toward the needs and feelings of others and act to make a positive difference.